Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
We are seeing the vet this week. I'm really nervous about what they'll say/suggest. This whole situation is causing me so much anxiety. Just want to do what's right for her and it's so hard. 
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U/D PTS 💔 Advice for 'paralysed' rabbit
- Thread starter Mischief and Tinker's Mum
- Start date
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
I hope your vet appointment goes well. I can understand your anxiety - its always a worry that vets will sing from the same hymn sheet, although usually my fears have been unfounded.
I had to say goodbye to Boo just over a month ago. She used to fall a lot & most often didn't have the strength to right herself. From Feb she was needing a lot of care ....like I got up 2-3 times a night, caught taxis to & from work (I only do 5 hour shifts) to reduce her time without me. She was seeing a physio (I so wish I'd found her earlier) & was just starting to build muscle...sadly it was all a bit late. Its really hard balancing the care needed With other commitments ..& the need to sleep.
I think your decision to take things day by day is a good one. She's a lucky girl to have you on her side.
Your shed set ups look soooooo cosy
I had to say goodbye to Boo just over a month ago. She used to fall a lot & most often didn't have the strength to right herself. From Feb she was needing a lot of care ....like I got up 2-3 times a night, caught taxis to & from work (I only do 5 hour shifts) to reduce her time without me. She was seeing a physio (I so wish I'd found her earlier) & was just starting to build muscle...sadly it was all a bit late. Its really hard balancing the care needed With other commitments ..& the need to sleep.
I think your decision to take things day by day is a good one. She's a lucky girl to have you on her side.
Your shed set ups look soooooo cosy
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Thank you! Can anyone recommend a safe shampoo to use to bathe her bum? I only used water last time but it wasn't the best idea.
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Shampoo - I use Johnson's Evening Primrose Oil dog shampoo. Dilute it well. It smells nice. I tend to use an old squeezy ketchup bottle with it well diluted, so you can just squeeze it where you need it, rub in & rinse off.
Have a look when you are in Burnhills for a bottle of something gentle that you like the smell of.
I used to use a baby shampoo, but human ones are for a different skin pH.
Have a look when you are in Burnhills for a bottle of something gentle that you like the smell of.
I used to use a baby shampoo, but human ones are for a different skin pH.
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Thank you for your lovely reply. I'm so sorry for your loss xI hope your vet appointment goes well. I can understand your anxiety - its always a worry that vets will sing from the same hymn sheet, although usually my fears have been unfounded.
I had to say goodbye to Boo just over a month ago. She used to fall a lot & most often didn't have the strength to right herself. From Feb she was needing a lot of care ....like I got up 2-3 times a night, caught taxis to & from work (I only do 5 hour shifts) to reduce her time without me. She was seeing a physio (I so wish I'd found her earlier) & was just starting to build muscle...sadly it was all a bit late. Its really hard balancing the care needed With other commitments ..& the need to sleep.
I think your decision to take things day by day is a good one. She's a lucky girl to have you on her side.
Your shed set ups look soooooo cosy
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I use the Nedz bed pro. I buy it from here
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Thank you. I'll sort that tomorrow.
I've been to the vets this evening. Sad news really. It isn't spinal compression but her arthritis is very severe in her right hip that there isn't much they can do for her other than meds. It's a case of judging day by day if she is still happy and keeping her environment as easy as possible for her to get around. We discussed physiotherapy and acupuncture but due to the stage of this arthritis, the vet doesn't think it would make any difference and it would put Scarlett through a lot of stress in the process. We are continuing with metacam and paracetamol twice a day but she has also been prescribed gabapentin twice a day too. It really is a drug cocktail that long term would cause liver damage. Due to the severity of her situation though, long term liver damage is not a concern and we would rather keep her comfortable. We likely have a matter of weeks. My poor girl. It's absolutely heartbreaking because she's perfectly healthy in every other way.
ETA: The vet is very savvy and experienced in this field so I trust her judgement 100%.
I've been to the vets this evening. Sad news really. It isn't spinal compression but her arthritis is very severe in her right hip that there isn't much they can do for her other than meds. It's a case of judging day by day if she is still happy and keeping her environment as easy as possible for her to get around. We discussed physiotherapy and acupuncture but due to the stage of this arthritis, the vet doesn't think it would make any difference and it would put Scarlett through a lot of stress in the process. We are continuing with metacam and paracetamol twice a day but she has also been prescribed gabapentin twice a day too. It really is a drug cocktail that long term would cause liver damage. Due to the severity of her situation though, long term liver damage is not a concern and we would rather keep her comfortable. We likely have a matter of weeks. My poor girl. It's absolutely heartbreaking because she's perfectly healthy in every other way.
ETA: The vet is very savvy and experienced in this field so I trust her judgement 100%.
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I am very sorry it wasn’t better news 
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
My bank balance can't afford the stable matting so making do with this for now. Scarlett is moving around so fast on it. 
Just need to finish covering the sides so they don't attempt to chew! Please note they have both a bottle and a bowl for water. Scarlett prefers the bottle! I'm on with sorting new flooring for the shed too.
ETA: we've now added in a makeshift ramp
Just need to finish covering the sides so they don't attempt to chew! Please note they have both a bottle and a bowl for water. Scarlett prefers the bottle! I'm on with sorting new flooring for the shed too.ETA: we've now added in a makeshift ramp
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Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Update - Scarlett seems to be doing well on gabapentin. Seems a lot more like herself again and she's just amazed me by standing up and doing a few wobbly hops.
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I really hope that the improvement continues
I expect the better traction from the rubber mats helps too xMischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
But I've got her some mats too.
twistedtiggerz69
Mama Doe
I can't offer you any help that hasn't already been said but my bridge bunny Bonnie lost the use of her back legs and so I know how hard it is making sure she is clean and how upsetting it was. We ended up bathing her bottom nearly every day in the end and she loved having cuddles on my chest wrapped in a towel to help her dry off. We eventually decided to let her go as she kept getting an ulcer on her side as she dragged herself around in circles. We did not have a rabbit savvy vet really then so we did not investigate it further when the PDSA suggested it was her time. However we knew ourselves anyway. I think you do kind of know when it is time to let them go.
I wish you the best and am sending vibes for Scarlett and your other bun with arthritis (is that Primrose?)
I wish you the best and am sending vibes for Scarlett and your other bun with arthritis (is that Primrose?)
Mischief and Tinker's Mum
Wise Old Thumper
Thank you. It sounds like Bonnie was lucky to have you.I can't offer you any help that hasn't already been said but my bridge bunny Bonnie lost the use of her back legs and so I know how hard it is making sure she is clean and how upsetting it was. We ended up bathing her bottom nearly every day in the end and she loved having cuddles on my chest wrapped in a towel to help her dry off. We eventually decided to let her go as she kept getting an ulcer on her side as she dragged herself around in circles. We did not have a rabbit savvy vet really then so we did not investigate it further when the PDSA suggested it was her time. However we knew ourselves anyway. I think you do kind of know when it is time to let them go.
I wish you the best and am sending vibes for Scarlett and your other bun with arthritis (is that Primrose?)
Yes Primrose is my other girly with arthritis.
